Paul Salvage Psychotherapy is a sole trader psychotherapy practice operated by Paul Salvage, based in Hove, East Sussex. I offer psychotherapy in person in Hove and online across the UK.

If you have any questions about this policy or how I handle your data, please contact me at contact@paulsalvagepsychotherapy.co.uk.

I collect and process the following personal information:

• Your name and contact details (email address, telephone number)
• Information you share with me through the contact form on this website
• Information you share with me during sessions, including sensitive personal data relating to your health and wellbeing
• Session notes, which I keep as part of my professional practice obligations
• Payment information, processed securely and not stored by me directly

I collect and use your personal information to:

• Respond to your enquiries and arrange sessions
• Provide counselling services to you
• Keep records as required by my professional body (BACP)
• Meet my legal and ethical obligations as a counsellor
• Process payments for sessions

The legal basis for processing your personal data is contract performance, legitimate interests, and in some cases explicit consent.

Everything you share in counselling is treated as confidential. I process sensitive health data only for the purpose of providing counselling to you.

There are rare circumstances where I may be required to share information without your consent — for example, if there is a serious risk of harm to you or others, or where I am required to do so by law. I will explain these exceptions clearly before we begin working together.

My session notes are stored securely and are not shared with third parties except in the circumstances described above, or where you have given explicit consent.

I retain client records for seven years after the end of our work together, in line with BACP guidance. After this period, records are securely destroyed.

Enquiries that do not result in a counselling relationship are deleted within six months.

I do not sell or share your personal data with third parties for marketing purposes. I may share information in the following limited circumstances:

• Clinical supervision — I discuss my work with a qualified supervisor as required by the BACP. This is done anonymously wherever possible.
• Legal obligation — if required to do so by law or a court order.
• Serious risk of harm — if I believe there is a serious and imminent risk to life.
• Service providers — I use third-party tools such as a secure video platform for online sessions and an email provider. These are chosen carefully and are GDPR compliant.

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You can manage your cookie preferences at any time using the cookie banner on this site. For full details please read my Cookie Policy.

Under UK GDPR you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• The right to access — you can request a copy of the personal data I hold about you.
• The right to rectification — you can ask me to correct inaccurate data.
• The right to erasure — you can ask me to delete your data, subject to my legal and professional obligations to retain records.
• The right to restrict processing — you can ask me to limit how I use your data in certain circumstances.
• The right to object — you can object to my processing of your data where I am relying on legitimate interests.
• The right to data portability — you can ask for your data in a portable format where technically possible.

To exercise any of these rights please contact me at contact@paulsalvagepsychotherapy.co.uk. I will respond within one month.

If you are unhappy with how I have handled your data, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113.

I would always ask that you contact me first so I have the opportunity to address your concern directly.

I may update this policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. I encourage you to check back periodically.